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I am often asked why I chose to fish out of my Hobie kayak, as opposed, to the Hewes Redfisher I previously owned. Most times I point out the obvious advantages like stealth and ease of launching. One key asset I often omit in my narrations is how fishing from a kayak has slowed me down, thus making me a more complete angler. When I fished from my flats boat, too often, I would run to a location that I expected to hold fish and if I did not hook up after ten casts or so, I was off to the next spot. I was always rushing from spot to spot to find fish. This approach actually hindered me in my true quest. Instead of staying in a certain area and truly learning to read the water, I was spending too much time driving the boat and not enough time fishing.
While there are countless anglers that excel at using their skiffs to locate and boat fish, I was just not one of them. While I might have been restricted to the distance I could travel in one kayak outing, I was forced to pay attention to even the minutest detail on every trip, if I wanted to catch fish. I was now documenting every depression and rise that made up the contour of the flats I was fishing. I often just found myself gliding along the mangrove lines observing the network of roots that snook and redfish take cover in during the summer high tides. I wasn’t just fishing—I was studying and learning how each eco system works. I found oyster beds without dinging my prop. I saw baitfish and crustaceans scurry about. Best of all, I caught a lot of fish. It wasn’t like I didn’t catch fish out of the flats boat, but now there was a different clarity to what I was trying to accomplish. The stealth and deliberate approach my kayak provided me with even linked into the way I used my skiff. I found that even when I took the boat out, I would run to a spot, drop the Power Pole and get out and wade. I felt the need to be part of the whole ecosystem.
Eventually, I found myself using my skiff less and less. As much as I enjoyed it, the day came to sell it and move into kayak fishing full time. The Mirage drive had increased my range and I found it easier to throw my kayak on the roof and drive to my destination rather than launch at my local ramp and make the run via the water. It is funny that I went from flats boat to kayak, because I have seen a lot of anglers that started in kayaks and have now moved into power boats only to become top notch tournament anglers and guides. I guess all that “slow time” really can pay off.
Not only has the kayak relaxed my approach to fishing, it has allowed me to take in a much bigger picture. I am now one with my surroundings and have been part of some amazing photography that would have never materialized if I were not gliding gently amongst the inhabitants of Southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
On a recent trip, I was pedaling along a shallow flat when a tiny object caught my eye. My mind said, “I think that is a recent sea turtle hatchling,” it should not have been there, but I doubled back to investigate. The stealth approach I was able to make in my Hobie did not spook the little guy. I was not even sure if he was alive, as his flippers were all drawn in and his head was down. As I got closer, his head popped up. I quickly grabbed my waterproof camera, staked out my kayak and jumped in to document this most unusual meeting. I have witnessed several hatches on the beach, but I have never come across one of the babies in the bay. The strong incoming tide must have swept him in. He was quite the poser, but unfortunately we had had a lot of rain and the water clarity was not that great. I did get a few decent photos, but better than that I have a memory that will last a lifetime. Love my slow time!”
Pedal On!
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